The Meeting
"Nanako! Wake up! Breakfast is ready!"
"Ughhhhh…" groaned Nanako
"It's summer, why do I have to wake up?" Nanako asked herself
"Oh yeah! The festival!" She shouted out loud.
With that, she quickly jumped out of her bed and jolted down the stairs.
"Good morning Nanako!" her dad said
Nanako's dad already was dressed in his work outfit, which was in fact, a Shinto priest's clothing. Her father is a priest at a local temple that is currently getting ready for the summer festival, something only their town has.
"Good morning dad!" replied Nanako
"Oh my, your hair looks so messy! Nanako, after breakfast, get ready and brush your hair! I have some errands for you!" Her mom said
Nanako grumbled to herself. Nanako's mom is a stay-at-home mom but she does fortune telling as a hobby, and is shockingly accurate.
Nanako finally finished her breakfast and ran up to her room. She looked in the mirror. Her short, black hair was a mess.
"Oh gosh, mom was right." Nanako mumbled to herself
She quickly changed into a shirt and shorts and then combed her hair into place.
"Alright!"
She looked at the mirror again and then ran down the stairs to her mom.
"Okay mom! I'm ready!" Nanako said.
"Alright. I need you to go buy some groceries. Here's a list of what we need to get and the money for the food."
"Rodger that!" responded Nanako, taking the list and money then bolting through the door.
"Be careful!" Shouted her mom
"I will!" Nanako shouted back
"Let's see~ Eggs, ham, fish, tofu, and…"
Nanako read the list that her mom gave her while running. She slowly decreased her pace as she finished reading the list, eventually coming to a full stop. She suddenly realized that she missed a turn. She sighed.
"Well, I guess I have to walk back now. Ugh, this summer heat is killing me!"
"Me too!" said a tiny voice
Nanako jumped back in alarm. A small, shriveled animal was resting next to her foot. It looked like it was in pain.
"Um… What are you?" Nanako asked.
"Me? Oh, I'm a kappa… Wait? You can see me?" exclaimed the kappa
"Oh my gosh! A real kappa! Wait here! I'm going to the grocery store right now! I'll get you some water!" shouted Nanako as she sprinted down the street.
Nanako poured the icy cold water on the kappa's head.
"Do you feel better now?" asked Nanako
"Oh yes! I feel much better! I am forever in your debt!" said the kappa
"Aw now, it's okay. How did you get to be so shriveled anyways?"
"Well, I was on my way to get some kappa makki* but all of a sudden, it got so sunny that the water in my bowl dried up!"
"Bowl?" Nanako asked
"You know, this yellow thing on my head!" the kappa pointed to the indent in his head, which was yellow.
"Oh, I see." Nanako said. Amusement shone in her eyes
"Yes. By the way, what is your name?" asked the kappa
"My name is Nanako!"
Nanako bowed
"Well, my name is Kappa!"
"Hmmm… I think I'll call you Ka-pi!" said Nanako
"Ka-pi?" asked the kappa, tilting his head
"Oh no! Ka-pi! Watch out!" Nanako exclaimed
All of the water in Ka-pi's bowl dripped out.
"Nooooooooo!" Said Ka-pi. And then, he fainted.
Nanako slapped her forehead.